New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Earlier this week, the U.S. Commerce Department concluded its preliminary investigations into imports of quartz surface products from China and it has found that exporters are receiving countervailable subsidies ranging from 34.38 to 178.45 percent.
As a result of the findings, the Commerce Department has asked the U.S. customs and border patrol (CBP) agency to collect cash deposits from importers of the item based on these preliminary rates. The final decision will come by January next year.
The investigation was initiated based on petitions filed by Cambria Company LLC (Eden Prairie, MN).
According to the department’s calculations, the imports of quartz surface products from China were valued at an estimated $460 million in 2017.
Under President Trump, the U.S. Commerce Department has significantly stepped up its investigations into foreign malpractices in trade and the number of investigations initiated are 221 percent more than the previous administration.
